1. Naked Conversations

2. agenda • What makes a blog so effective? • The Six Pillars of the blog • How can businesses utilize blogs? • What Blogs offer to large and small businesses • Microsoft Channel 9 example • English Cut example • What is the difference between a good and a bad blog? • Bad blogs • Good blogs

3. What makes a blog so effective? Some say it is the wave of the future!

4. The Six Pillars • No other form of communication has all 6 capabilities Publishable Syndicatable Social Findable Viral Linkable

5. The Six Pillars • Anyone with a computer can publish there own blog for little to no costs. Publishable

6. The Six Pillars • All blogs can be found using generic or blog specific search engines. (Pubsub, Technorati) • Frequently updating blogs increases the ranking at which it appears on Google. Findable

7. The Six Pillars • Blogs promote social interaction by allowing followers to comment on conversations. • The Blogosphere is an interactive atmosphere that encourages the sharing of blogs. Social

8. The Six Pillars • Information can quickly be uploaded and spread through the use of blogs. • Blogs often get the word out better than generic press releases. Viral

9. The Six Pillars • RSS Technology allows blogs to alert followers when new information is posted. • This saves time searching and provides faster sharing of information. Syndicatable

10. The Six Pillars • Bloggers often link stories from other blogs to their own site • Linking furthers the reach of a blogger generating a greater listening audience. Linkable

11. How can Businesses utilize blogs? Blogs aren’t just for Tweens anymore.

12. Blogs: • Provide a transparent insiders look into a company. • Allow people to see the human side of large corporations. • Enable employees or owners to address problems quickly and openly with customers in a two way channel of communication. • Promotes honest communication without the alteration from PR or Legal departments.

13. Microsoft: Channel 9 • Inspired by Joshua Allen, Channel 9 is a compilation of employee blogs from Microsoft. • These blogs have effectively changed the public perception of Microsoft as a more consumer friendly corporation. • This blog has been credited as increasing Microsoft’s recruiting power.

14. Blogs: • Allow small companies to access their target audience without expensive advertising campaigns. • Let interested individuals seek out your company on their own. • Create a buzz factor that can spread and produce increased interest for your company.

15. English Cut • Thomas Mahon was a struggling high-end tailor before being convinced to start a blog. • His blog generated interest with the target audience quickly and spread through links of other blog sites. • His sales revenue increased 300% within 10 weeks.

16. What is the difference between a good and a bad blog? That’s a Great question!!

17. Bad Blogs • A blog should not be a marketing campaign or sales pitch. • Blogs should be from real people and not characters representing a company. • Blogs should avoid the lame factor of being cheesy. • Blogs cannot be effective if they are dull, they must create interest to capture a loyal audience.

18. Good Blogs • Should be authentic and straight forward. • Promote an honest (naked) conversation without hidden motives of selling a product. • Must include blog software allowing comments and links to be made within the blogosphere. • Should be interesting and relate to the overall purpose of the blog, properly representing the company it is intended for.

19. Now that you have learned a little about blogs… Bravely go forth into the blogosphere and immerse yourself in the revolution